Teen Parents Mentoring Program

Rebecca Richmond, MSW, Rebecca Richmond, MSW, Program DirectorProgram Director

Fonda Maddalone, Group CoordinatorFonda Maddalone, Group Coordinator City Life CenterCity Life Center

550 Ontario Street550 Ontario Street

Schenectady, NY 12306Schenectady, NY 12306 518-785-8753, ext. 32518-785-8753, ext. 32

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Parenting Skills Groups (Moms)Parenting Skills Groups (Moms) Parenting Skills Groups (Dads)Parenting Skills Groups (Dads) One-on-One MentoringOne-on-One Mentoring Case Management / Crisis CounselingCase Management / Crisis Counseling Stork RoomStork Room School PresentationsSchool Presentations Community ReferralsCommunity Referrals

Parenting Skills Groups Teen Moms Group (Up to age 19)Teen Moms Group (Up to age 19)

FUN:FUN: crafts, games, food, fellowship, trips and crafts, games, food, fellowship, trips and eventsevents

EDUCATION:EDUCATION: parenting skills and independent parenting skills and independent living skills, discussions, guest speakersliving skills, discussions, guest speakers

NURSERY & TRANSPORTATIONNURSERY & TRANSPORTATION 22ndnd / 4 / 4thth Thursdays, 6-8 pm at City Life Center Thursdays, 6-8 pm at City Life Center

Young Fathers Group (Up to age 29)Young Fathers Group (Up to age 29) FUN:FUN: basketball and events basketball and events EDUCATION:EDUCATION: independent living skills independent living skills 11stst / 3 / 3rdrd Thursdays, 8-10 pm at First Baptist Church Thursdays, 8-10 pm at First Baptist Church

One-on-One Mentoring Volunteers who are trained, screened and Volunteers who are trained, screened and

matched up with a teen to spend quality time matched up with a teen to spend quality time outside of groups.outside of groups.

Volunteers are supervised by Teen Parents StaffVolunteers are supervised by Teen Parents Staff Not case-management; more like the “Big-Not case-management; more like the “Big-

Brother, Big-Sister Model”Brother, Big-Sister Model” Volunteer Mentors work with staff to address Volunteer Mentors work with staff to address

individual needsindividual needs Mentors attempt to meet weeklyMentors attempt to meet weekly

Case Management / Crisis Counseling

Program Director and Department Program Director and Department Director are available for Crisis Director are available for Crisis CounselingCounseling

Program Director makes referrals to Program Director makes referrals to other agencies if necessaryother agencies if necessary

Court appearancesCourt appearances

Stork Room Store with donated goods such as baby Store with donated goods such as baby

clothes, diapers, toys, strollers, etc.clothes, diapers, toys, strollers, etc.

Teens spend “Baby Bucks” which they earn Teens spend “Baby Bucks” which they earn by attending group, hanging out with a by attending group, hanging out with a mentor, finishing homework and attending mentor, finishing homework and attending classes at Alphaclasses at Alpha

Great lessons on saving money, money Great lessons on saving money, money management, prioritizing needs vs. wantsmanagement, prioritizing needs vs. wants

School and Community

Teen Parents Staff attend Teen Parents Teen Parents Staff attend Teen Parents Class at SHS regularly to meet teen moms Class at SHS regularly to meet teen moms and lead a discussion and/or craftand lead a discussion and/or craft

Staff and Mentors participate in several Staff and Mentors participate in several community activities and committees in community activities and committees in order to continue building partnerships and order to continue building partnerships and make and receive referrals of clientsmake and receive referrals of clients

FUNDING

Individuals and Groups, such as Individuals and Groups, such as churches, pledge regular financial churches, pledge regular financial supportsupport

Grant Proposals initiatedGrant Proposals initiated

Stefanie